P.R. congressman endorses Soto in CD-9

State Sen. Darren Soto has received the endorsement of Puerto Rico's lone congressman, U.S. Rep. Pedro Pierluisi in Soto's bid for Congress himself in Florida's Congressional District 9.

Pierluisi, who also has the title of Puerto Rico's resident commissioner, cited the high population of Puerto Rican residents in Congressional District 9 and Soto's support for Puerto Rican affairs, adding, "The bonds between Central Florida and Puerto Rico are deep and strong."

He also cited Soto's record as a state senator and his endorsement of Perluisi's bill to seek beginning the process of considering admission of Puerto Rico as a state.

Soto, who is of Puerto Rican descent, faces Democratic activists Susannah Randolph and Valleri Crabtree, biochemical researcher Dr. Dena Minning and former state Rep. Ricardo Rangel in a primary fight for the Democratic nomination to replace U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Orlando, who is not seeking reelection.

Wayne Liebnitzky and Wanda Rentas are running on the Republican side.

“As a legislator of Puerto Rican descent, I am absolutely thrilled to have our Resident Commissioner’s support in this race. I applaud him for his efforts in urging Congress to act on Puerto Rico’s fiscal crisis as he stated on the Floor last week, and support him in giving the people of Puerto Rico the opportunity to vote on the political status of the island,” Soto stated in a news release.